Muhammad Bin Qasim International Airport

City Multan is located in Punjab, Pakistan and 10 kilometers away is situated the renown airport of the city known as Muhammad Bin Qasim International Airport. As compare to the other airports of the country it is not that huge as it serves mainly to the population of Multan, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Vehari and Muzaffargarh. Muhammad Bin Qasim International Airport marks its beginning from the British Empire, when the Royal Air Force used the open area to fly in and out from the Multan district during 1919. The Multan Airport came into being when the airline Pak Air commenced its operations. Both the airlines including PIA and Aero Asia International grant the status of International airport to the Multan (MBQ) Airport in 1999, by operating flights to the Middle East such as Kuwait and UAE.

CAA and local government soon decided to upgrade the airport terminal and airfield to meet the standards of International Airports, in 2005. Their main focus was to improve the terminal building, runway, facilities and the apron area. Before long the flight from Karachi to Multan was started by Shaheen Airline on 15th December, 2006 and was the only private airline in the MBQ Airport. Revenue of about Rs 1 Billion was reported by the airport in 2007. The airport also offers flights for Hajj and Umrah, which is predicted to produce additional revenue as well as growth of international routes out of Multan.

Mostly the airport gratifies the populace of Multan and the neighboring towns. It can accommodate passengers up to 135 and approximate 300 passengers in the departure lounge. It consists of a prayer room, snack shops, washroom and an allocated prayer area. Approximately fifty counters are there in check-in area and can accommodate two narrow body aircraft at a time. Currently, they are planning to upgrade to build a brand new airport facility at a new location away from the original airport but unfortunately the plan was canceled due to the unavailability of land.

However the new proposal will include the improvement of the existing MBQ Airport with innovative terminals, taxi-ways and runways. To improve and advance the Airport of Multan CAA of Pakistan has earmarked a project of about Rs. 4.5 billion. According to the current plan Multan (MBQ) Airport will be expanded with the intention that wide-bodied aircraft could land or take off for direct international passenger and cargo flights. The venture was intended by Engineering Consultant Int. (PVT) Ltd. The project consists of two segments, according to the first segment, expansion of runway, taxi-way and apron will be approved to an projected amount of Rs 1.8 billion; where as the second segment consist of construction of a new terminal building and the allied facilities The completion of this project will allocate multiple flights to international destinations in addition it will allow wide body aircraft to function from the airport. The revolutionary ceremony was held in 11 April 2009 by the Prime Minister of Pakistan.